There are no two ways about it: Moving is expensive. However, you don’t have to resign yourself to spending vast amounts of money during your move. By taking the appropriate steps, you can often get away with spending a lot less.
As with so many other things, enjoying a less expensive relocation is all about planning and patience. The willingness to do a lot of the work yourself helps too. Learn a few excellent strategies for saving money while moving below.
Sell or Donate Unneeded Things
The fewer belongings you have, the less expensive your move is going to be. With that in mind, you should do what you can to unload unneeded things in the weeks and months leading up to your move.
As far as nicer (unneeded) things go, you should try to sell them. You can use the money that you earn to finance your relocation. These strategies won’t just save you money; they will make your move easier and allow you to get a nice, fresh start at your new place.
Get Free Boxes
People are often taken aback by how expensive fresh, new cardboard boxes can be. After all, the only time they’re generally needed is during a big move. Before you fork over a bunch of money for moving boxes, try to find as many free ones as possible.
Solicit friends and relatives for unneeded boxes. Check with local stores to see if they have any handy, too. Don’t forget to check sites like Craigslist and FreeCycle. People are often anxious to unload their old boxes after moving. When your move is complete, you can return the favor.
Do Your Own Packing
As tempting as it may be to hire someone else to pack your belongings, it’s just one more thing that adds to the cost of moving. The key here is to start packing early. There are sure to be many things that can be packed long before moving day arrives.
Try to use inexpensive packing materials like old newspapers as much as possible. Things like bubble wrap can really add up over time. Be as organized as possible. Label each box so that you will have an easy time unpacking it later.
Get Multiple Quotes
Do-it-yourself moves are the cheapest options. If you go that route, you’ll need to rent a moving truck. Don’t just go to the closest truck rental company and choose the first one you see. Request quotes from at least three different places. The same thing goes for moving companies.
If you need to hire movers, solicit quotes from at least three of them. You’re sure to be amazed by the huge pricing differences that you will encounter. Don’t just base your decision on pricing alone, though. Read the fine print to ensure that you get the level of quality that you need.
Hire Friends and Relatives to Help on Moving Day
As long as you’re willing to return the favor yourself someday, you should try to round up as many friends and relatives to help on moving day as possible. If cash is tight, you could always try bribing them with offers of icy cold beverages and nice meals.
Plan Ahead to Save Cash
The people who get away with spending the least amount of money on their moves are the ones who plan everything ahead of time. If you wait until the last minute to make the necessary arrangements, you are going to pay dearly for it. Furthermore, waiting too long puts you at risk of not having the help or equipment you need when the time comes. Moving trucks are often booked solid for weeks in advance, and hiring a moving company at the last minute is just about impossible. In addition to saving money, planning ahead will make the experience a lot less stressful. Before you know it, you’ll be settled into your new home with money to spare.